ASK & DISCUSS

Can anyone tell me if a location agreement is required after a film has been shot? As I understand it, although filming could be stopped if you don't have one, the film can't be b…

If you have to ask, it likely means that you didn't have a location manager, which also implies that you were shooting very low budget, and it further implies that you're not goin…

Hello Shooters,

I've been approached by an arts magazine who are interested in commissioning me to direct and film a series of short films on artists and their lives.

The magazi…

Thanks a lot Paddy, that was really helpful!

Hi Everybody. I hope there's not U.K. block for this youtube video. Two Hollywood lawyers talk about what the law actually is in the U.S. regarding a whole host of things that com…

Just in case it helps anyone, 'deliverables' are all the things you have to deliver to a distributor/sales agent - the film is only one of those elements. Arguably, it's the most…

I understand the basics i.e. using stock footage in an advertisement, or in a film that brings in money, either to the filmmaker/producers or to the tv network it's broadcasted on…

I'm sorry I'm so late in replying - thanks for your comments! They've been very helpful.

Greetings Film Makers. (Apologies, long read ahead.)

I am heading a Film "club" at my local area Council operated Arts Centre. It is a hands-on "class" of sorts - where I teach p…

A million thanks for all the answers and insightful advice, my friends.

If anyone ever needs a helping hand with any shoots/edits/etc.. give me a shout.

Regards.
Ray.

Today I saw two posts on the Filmmaking list.

First, expenses only Gaffer on a Music Video for Warner Music, citing budget is too small. We all do expenses only/low pay music …

Nice to see the advert for a gaffer has been reposted as a paid job. Although as a proper promo for a company like Warner Music, they should be paying £300 for a gaffer for the d…

Hi Shooters!

This forum has been very helpful to me in the past so I was wanting a quick word of advice from anybody who has worked with actors under 16. My upcoming film has one…

An interesting point Paddy. I think it underlines the fact these regional 'by-laws' are not in fact Law. Actual Law does not vary from one region of England and Wales to another, …

I have been taking a brief look at the history of money and the arts, so I'm sure some of the academics on here will know more than I do.

But, it appears that there have been a f…

I would like to use a well known classical piece of music for the trailer for my short film. My overall plan with the film is festivals and then if possible VOD - or sell wherever…

There are two kinds of music rights. There are the rights to the score, and the rights to the recording.

A score can be public domain, while the recording to the same track is e…

This is also something which has come up on our contract regarding becoming her agent so same thing again, in that respect, really. I've read in some places that you can phone up …

Under 16's don't have NI. Anyone under 16 can have a tax liability and therefore a tax reference. You can register them for tax, and their gaurdian or agent would have a mandate t…

Our film is all about promoting local talent where possible and our songwriter is very well thought of locally, receives royalties from radio and even TV on occasion. Wouldn't swa…

Thanks, Lionel. Glad you agree!

I have been acting as an agent for an 11 year old actress who I work really well with. The family know and trust me and have seen positive results of my work with their daughter. …

That is worth knowing, Dan, thanks very much. I will certainly look into that. Much appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I wrote a book last year which I self-published which is an action-adventure with science fiction fantasy elements, set in the recent past. Recently, I was on anothe…

Absolutely - and it's also registered with The Script Vault too so I think it's as protected as any creative idea and realisation of that idea can be. Thanks Stephen.

Hi everyone,
I was hoping one of my fellow shooters would be able to assist me with a query. I'll be directing my next short at the end of April and part of the script involves …

Ok, thanks Andrew, that shouldn't be too difficult.

No, this isn't one of the usual rants about not getting paid enough for hard work. Rather, it's an article I found about people who seem to get paid for doing nothing.

I long hea…

Hollywood was founded on mob money, I guess the attitudes haven't changed that much... Reads like a bit of a shakedown to me. And upsetting if agents are not working for their cl…

Hi Everyone,

Is their a way to check if and when a film was registered with the Writers Guild?
Or is their another of checking it?

Thanks!
Leo

I am wondering if there is a set template and protocol specifically for contracts concerning singers of original film soundtracks as opposed to the set template for actors/actress…

Hi,
I've recently been involved in creating a documentary and got in touch with a camera operator who filmed me interviewing several prominent figures. My partner and I signed a …

Thanks everyone, Really helpful advice. It's been a sharp learning curve, but I've definitely learnt to be more cautious in future about the legal aspects of filming.

Hello!
Has anyone from the SP community any experiences as how to obtain rights of an existing official soundtrack to be able to use it in a short film?

I made a short film and t…

I think you're shortchanging yourself and your film by not giving yourself the experience of working with a composer. Will you find yourself a Morricone-caliber composer? Probably…

Does anyone have experience of successfully getting a celebrity to do the voice over for their film?

We are a small production company and are completing a 1 hour documentary (m…

To address the OP's original question , Sheila, I well understand your need to obtain a "celebrity" voice for your documentary, as it is often thought this is going to oil the wor…

I've been commissioned to produce a short promotional video for a private school for kids with Autism.

Obviously, before shooting begins I know it's essential to have release fo…

Hi, I am DBS regd and a first aider. You can do a DBS yourself but its very long winded, its better by going through a company. I got mine through a company as I do classroom assi…

Hello Shooters!!!

Hope everyone is doing very well... :)

I am currently working on the completion of my new short film. Does any of you know what actions I need to take in order…

In my opinion, don't cut corners on copyright registration... It's twenty bucks for christ's sake! You spend many months writing the darn thing, crafting it, protecting it, develo…

What kind of ballpark numbers and deal can one expect? What is considered standard? Any serious tips or advices (other than hire a lawyer or read carefully your contract,please)?…

Just for context, 15-odd years ago, the Equinox strand was £60k/hr, 10-odd years ago, BBC2 regional peaktime was £25k for a 30' commission, European non-terrestrial was around £38…

Hi Shooters!
I was hoping somebody may be able to shed some light on this for me.

My next short film features a band and there is one scene where the guitarist and bassist are p…

Bit - typo for BOT , sry.

Making a mix of interview and live performance video for a tribute band. Currently editing. Do I need to make some agreement with the rights holders of the original band? Some mem…

Just rewatched that horrible thing.

Anyways, the whole film budget. Gee.